The three Sheffield pubs which installed parking cameras after bosses lost patience with non-customers
Sometimes the car park was full but the pub was empty
Three Sheffield pubs with large car parks installed parking cameras this week after bosses lost patience with non-customers.
The Fox House at Longshaw, The Belfry in Beighton and Meadow Farm in Ecclesfield now demand £100 from drivers who fail to register on a tablet inside.
All had historically allowed a free-for-all and the sites were used by a huge range of people.
The Fox House in the Peak District was popular with walkers, The Belfry was used by patients at a nearby medical centre, and at school times, and Meadow Farm is close to football pitches.
Sometimes the car parks were full but the pubs were empty.
And this week Greene King, which owns two of the pubs, and Mitchells & Butlers, took a stand.
They hired private parking firms to install cameras and signs warning of financial penalties.
Most readers were sympathetic, although some said they would now stay away.
But concerns were raised over who polices the parking firms.
The tablets do not provide proof a registration number has been input, leaving drivers defenceless if a letter demanding £100 arrives.
It is also unclear how long they have to turn around and leave if they decide not to stop, or are picking someone up.
Greene King urged customers to keep receipts for food and drink.
It also said they could contact pub staff or customer services if there was a problem https://www.greeneking.co.uk/contact-us/customer-service